Which Blazers are carrying their weight?
According to today's Portland Tribune the team says they are not blaming the coach for their ills. They shouldn't, it's a team sport. However, the game is played on the court and today's Tribune assesses each player's contributions. Here are the guys that got the negative reviews:
Derek Anderson: So-so, just like last season. Shooting only .403 from the floor and averaging 11.6 points, among the NBA’s worst for starting shooting guards. Not much of a defender. But, he’s been durable, playing in every game.
Theo Ratliff: Bothered by nagging injuries, he has been much less effective than last season. Still ranks among NBA’s best in blocked shots, but his intimidation factor seems down. A nonfactor on offense (4.8 points) and one of the league’s poorest rebounding centers (5.6).
Nick Van Exel: Nick the Quick, 33, is on his last legs, and he admits it. With aching knees that will send him into retirement at season’s end, he doesn’t have much to give except an occasional, 3-point hot streak. He is a pro who is giving all he can give, but it is not enough for a starting point.
Joel Przybilla: A poor man’s Theo Ratliff — excellent shot-blocker — but a better rebounder per minute than Ratliff. As an offensive player, Przybilla is no Vladimir Stepania. Clammy hands mean teammates eschew giving him the ball on offense.
Richie Frahm: Blazers got him to make shots, and in his limited time, he hasn’t done it. Cheeks is more comfortable with two-point-guard lineup (Van Exel and Stoudamire, Telfair and Stoudamire), which affects Frahm’s opportunities.
Source: Portland Tribune Click here to see who is doing well.
I think Pryzbilla deserves a bit more credit but I tend to agree with the rest of these. I'd like to see Theo start coming off the bench so his energy could be better utilized.
Derek Anderson: So-so, just like last season. Shooting only .403 from the floor and averaging 11.6 points, among the NBA’s worst for starting shooting guards. Not much of a defender. But, he’s been durable, playing in every game.
Theo Ratliff: Bothered by nagging injuries, he has been much less effective than last season. Still ranks among NBA’s best in blocked shots, but his intimidation factor seems down. A nonfactor on offense (4.8 points) and one of the league’s poorest rebounding centers (5.6).
Nick Van Exel: Nick the Quick, 33, is on his last legs, and he admits it. With aching knees that will send him into retirement at season’s end, he doesn’t have much to give except an occasional, 3-point hot streak. He is a pro who is giving all he can give, but it is not enough for a starting point.
Joel Przybilla: A poor man’s Theo Ratliff — excellent shot-blocker — but a better rebounder per minute than Ratliff. As an offensive player, Przybilla is no Vladimir Stepania. Clammy hands mean teammates eschew giving him the ball on offense.
Richie Frahm: Blazers got him to make shots, and in his limited time, he hasn’t done it. Cheeks is more comfortable with two-point-guard lineup (Van Exel and Stoudamire, Telfair and Stoudamire), which affects Frahm’s opportunities.
Source: Portland Tribune Click here to see who is doing well.
I think Pryzbilla deserves a bit more credit but I tend to agree with the rest of these. I'd like to see Theo start coming off the bench so his energy could be better utilized.
posted by KJM at 1:32 PM
<< Home